ENERGY POTENTIAL IN PRODUCTION OF FAST-GROWING POPLAR CLONES IN SLOVAK REGIONS

Calorific value production from the above-ground biomass of stands was derived from its volume production. The mathematical models of growth tables of I-214 and Robusta poplar clones, biomass density values and calorific values of biomass dry matter were used for its calculation. At the stands aged 35 years and site indices of 20, 30 and 40, the calorific value has approximately 2.700, 6.000 and 9.300 GJ.ha^-1 respectively. The I-214 clone has higher production than Robusta in the first half of its growth, albeit with minimum differences. The annual increments of calorific value culminate about the age of 9-13 years with values of 450-115 GJ.ha^-1. Mean annual production of both clones culminates at the age of 17-26 years with values of 320-80 GJ.ha^-1. Lowland forest locations with high level of ground water in Slovakia with the total area of 25.600 ha are most suitable for poplars production. On this area, we can assume the mean annual production of 3.566 TJ of gross calorific value obtained from above-ground biomass in the future. From that, about 64% is in wood, 14% in bark and 22% in small-wood. Up to 85% of this production potential is situated in the area of The Danube Lowland and the rest is mainly in southern areas of the Central and Eastern Slovakia.